[Continued from the previous day.]
Sunday, our first full day as a married couple.
We had a farewell breakfast at our cottage, so we arose fairly early to say our goodbyes to everyone. Meagan’s mom Jayne continued to help us in so many ways, this time cleaning up our place from the weekend partying and preparing food and coffee.


After most of our friends and family had left, we started cleaning up and packing up the car. Even though I was still a bit hobbled, I wanted to have one last walk around the Inn before we left.


Finally, early in the afternoon, as mountain bikers were arriving to tear up the Kingdom Trails, we departed East Burke. We were bound for the Mountain View Grand in Whitefield, NH, about an hour east, for a smaller post-wedding gathering at a hotel and resort that the Dodge family owned for many years.
We arrived after most of the Dodges and my parents, who were already out on the patio of the main hotel, enjoying a cocktail. We quickly checked in, put our bags in the room, and then joined them.

Early in the evening, we drove a short ride down the road to the home of Meagan’s great uncle John and his wife Lore, who were graciously hosting us. We enjoyed a few glasses of wine and some pre-dinner appetizers, while admiring the views of the Presidential Range of the White Mountains and listening intently to John’s stories of the history of the house, the area, and the Mountain View Grand.


After cocktails, we returned to the hotel for a private family dinner. It was a true “Downeast” Lobster Bake, with clam chowder, boiled potatoes, steamers, mussels, corn on the cob, and of course, lobster. Few things go together as well as good food and great family, and we were blessed with plenty of both the entire weekend. It was also a bit easier to relax with the smaller family group.

John continued to regale us with stories of the Inn and of the Dodge family, and after dinner, we were able to tour the wine cellar below. Afterwards, we once again relaxed on the patio, and enjoyed a few glasses of Meagan’s dad’s favorite wine, Silver Oak. Finally, we retired for the evening.


Monday was bittersweet. We were sad in knowing that our amazing weekend in Vermont (and New Hampshire) was over. But, mostly we were happy that we had such a great time and that we had many happy days ahead, not the least of which was the upcoming excursion to Tanzania. We said goodbye to my parents, who were returning home to Pennsylvania, and to Meagan’s dad, who was heading north on a motorcycle trip to Prince Edward Island.
And finally, Meagan, her mom, and I packed in the car one last time, and headed south on I-93 to Boston to get ready for the next big adventure.
